<p><br></p><p>The Ridgefield Theater Barn, now halfway through its 60 th season, has two weekends</p><p>left of it’s wonderful An Evening of One Acts which I highly recommend you find a way</p><p>to attend. If you are in any way like me, in this Topsy Turvey uncertain world, one acts</p><p>are just what the Dr. ordered; just long enough to engage me, but not too long to lose</p><p>me back into the miasma spinning in my head. It’s a bit like getting lost in “Reels” on</p><p>Facebook, but in real life, with real people, with other people present, to validate what</p><p>I’m feeling while watching.</p><p>The difference from “Reels” or, dare I say it, “TikTok” is that real people curate this</p><p>evening, and have done so with a remarkable hand for guidance on a journey that does</p><p>helps us through these times, and lowers, at least for a few moments, the self-defenses</p><p>that the outside world demands these days.</p><p>This year’s ONE ACTS COMMITTEE, led by Chairperson Paulette Layton, working with</p><p>Mark Hankla, Timothy Huber, Nancy Ponturo, and Bill Warncke, has done a wonderful</p><p>job curating a selection of original, unpublished plays, striking just the right notes, at just</p><p>the right time.</p><p>Much like a gallery show, they take you, the audience, through various scenarios,</p><p>couched in laughter and smart dialogue, which in a one act, can be difficult since every</p><p>line and every movement and gesture cannot be wasted and must move the arc of the</p><p>story forward.</p><p>Overall, the one acts are well done, with great acting and direction, with many different</p><p>styles and subjects. If I were pressed to pull together a Log line or arching theme for the</p><p>evening, I think I would be most comfortable saying that-In times of change, our</p><p>authentic selves are stronger than we think, and to trust them and embrace the change.</p><p>But that, like most themes, is completely subjective, and has more to do with what I</p><p>bring to the table on any given evening. The magical elixir consists of the talent of the</p><p>ensemble, playwrights, directors, lighting designers, sound designers and stage</p><p>managers, creating the space for one to find the theme they need while sharing the</p><p>moment with others.</p><p>The evening kicks off with “Stay Golden” written by Jessica Moss, and directed by</p><p>Carin Zakes, featuring Bruce Apar as Gordon, Robin Browne as Cleo, Deborah Carlson</p><p>as Rosalie, Marcy Sansolo as Patricia and Denise Hubbard as Diane.</p><p>Ms. Moss’s absurdist comedy sets us up right out of the gate with the entire ensemble</p><p>working well together and moving the play forward with a solid arc of action, and yes,</p><p>I’m intentionally being vague here, because it’s not the gold you are thinking. Through</p><p>the laughter, a little bit of relevancy gets massaged regarding our increased ability to</p><p>extend life, and what that really means for those living it.</p><p><br></p><p>Now I’m going to jump around a bit, since the experience of the curated order is for you</p><p>to enjoy in person, but I will describe some of the stops along the way.</p><p>Two of the plays that hit very close to home, and made me want to stand up and cheer</p><p>when the lights went down, on the one hand, and also made me want to take them out</p><p>on the road immediately because I though everyone needs to see them yesterday, were</p><p>“Right Field of Dreams,” by Stephan Kaplan and “Sea Change” by Lucas Hasten.</p><p>In “Right Field of Dreams” director Danielle Roth, adroitly navigated the material with</p><p>actors Liam Gallary as Timmy, and Matt Donavan as Coach/Dad, which could have</p><p>been taken right out of the story of my life. It was spooky, but in a good way. Add to that</p><p>a ghost of a very famous female baseball star, played by Laurie Schaefer Fenton, and it</p><p>all is taking place in the outfield of a little league game and you have a great little play.</p><p>So well-acted by all three, hitting the beats just perfectly, without overdoing it, or rushing</p><p>it. Impressive. IF only my story had turned out as well as Timmy’s.</p><p>In “Sea Change”, directed by Marilyn Olsen, Craig David Rosen as Dan and Katie Kelly</p><p>as Bobbi, are hilarious as two clown fish. And just as anyone who watches fish in an</p><p>aquarium notice the dance, these two do a pas de deux with such depth and</p><p>understanding of flow of the script it is a pleasure to have the opportunity to watch. As</p><p>mentioned earlier, there is not a breath that is not in service to the script, and not a”y” or</p><p>an “i” that is left to chance.</p><p>Two more of the plays, “Improv” written by Kevin Curley and directed by Alexis</p><p>Vournazos starring Carri Ocean as Ann McKinley, Rob Mayette as Paul O’Malley and</p><p>Sheri Rak as Tina Bradley and then “A Flicker” Written by Guy R. Newsham, directed</p><p>by Brian DeToma with Michael Bud as Person A and Bill Warncke as Person B .</p><p>Loss is a big part of both plays. They are both very well-directed and written. I think they</p><p>both crave being longer than one act. I’m not sure if one act is long enough to give grief</p><p>the gravitas it needs to be able to laugh through it.</p><p>I do not in any way mean to disparage the production, I would just encourage both</p><p>playwrights to consider continuing what they have started</p><p>All the performances are spot on, with one of my fav moments in “Improv” being when</p><p>Mr. Mayotte and Ms. Ocean are speaking downstage Right, and Ms. Rak is</p><p>eavesdropping. Take a moment to look at Ms. Rak’s eyes, and you’ll see what I mean</p><p>about loss.</p><p>–In “A Flicker” Mr. Bud and Mr Warncke navigate the waters of male bonding of shared</p><p>loss and walk the TMI tightrope as they learn more about who they are. Each gives</p><p>heartfelt performances and leaves you wanting more. Maybe another act?</p><p>In “The Objection Seat” By Scott Mullen, beautifully directed by Pia Haas, we are</p><p>served</p><p><br></p><p>Laurie Schaefer Fenton As Mary, and Andela Armand As Kat in a different take on</p><p>bonding and self-discovery They are both hilarious, and have such well-defined</p><p>characters, Although the man they speak of is never seen, it does make you want to</p><p>meet him.</p><p>Then there is the glorious spoof of the New York Public Library called “One of the Great</p><p>Ones” written by Chris Widney, with direction by Matt Pagliaro. It stars Elayne Gordon</p><p>as Enid Stump, with Lucy Manos as Lee Katie Kelly as Jamie and David Michael Tate</p><p>as Hank.</p><p>This one act uses the inherent arc of a time deadline instigated by a “scavenger hunt”</p><p>against the closing of the library and the “greatest” Librarian of them all. What fun this</p><p>script is, while also reminding us that these people, these librarians, are human and</p><p>important, and committed. The whole cast make every laugh their own without a single</p><p>punch line missed or pause held incorrectly.</p><p>In “Juliet Wakes Up” written by Laura Neill and directed by Nancy Ponturo, Juliet,</p><p>played by Lucy Manos runs in with a bloody blade, herself covered in blood having</p><p>awakened, with Romeo purportedly dead beside her.</p><p>She runs into Rosaline, hilariously played by Danielle Fitzsimmons who draws out of her</p><p>why, if Romeo was already dead, she and the blade are covered in blood. Then enters</p><p>Willow played by Colleen White, who is yet another Capulet, trying to cover the tracks of</p><p>the potion that was used in the double suicide/not suicide.</p><p>Eventually, and as one might expect, against all odds, a dying Romeo, played by Matt</p><p>Donovan arrives.</p><p>I will not give away the whole plot, but I will say, that the Capulet ladies, are very much</p><p>post “Me-too” women in the hands of both Ms. Neill and Ms. Ponturo and I could not</p><p>stop giggling throughout the entire play. So smartly scripted and performed. Truly a joy</p><p>to watch. With the insight Shakespeare had of the soul of his time, were he here today,</p><p>He would completely approve of this interpretation</p><p>“Hornswaggle” the 8 th and final play to mention, starring Eric Novak as Cogs, Allison</p><p>Valentino as Scuzzy and Michael Ferrara as Bilges is a classic Pirate melodrama in one</p><p>act.</p><p>Written by James Nelson under the direction of David Fritsch the cast hits all the marks,</p><p>and does a Yeomans job with the script and direction. I will say I am not the biggest fan</p><p>of the pirate melodrama, but that has nothing to do with how this one was performed as</p><p>much as it has to do with having done so many of them in high school that as soon as I</p><p>see a scarf on a head, I have a bit of PTSD from my youth.</p><p>Kudos to the crew, Led by Production Manager – Paulette Layton, with Stage Manager</p><p>– Tina Morrissette, Assistant Stage Manager – Jean Mazzelli, Lighting Designer – Mark</p><p><br></p><p>Hankla and Sound Designer – Addis Engel. Without these folks, the magic of theater</p><p>could not exists.</p><p>Take the time, go spend an evening with these folks, and let go and laugh, and take the</p><p>ride. I can honestly say, you will feel better. And we all need to feel better right now.</p><p>The Ridgefield Theatre Barn is located at 37 Halpin Lane, Ridgefield CT 06877</p><p>203-431-9850,</p><p>Remaining shows are Friday March 14 at 8PM, Saturday, March 15 8PM, Sunday</p><p>March 16 th at 2PM Friday March 21 st -8PM, and Saturday March 22 nd -8PM</p><p>Tickets are $35. ALL SALES ARE FINAL. Tickets can be purchased at</p><p><a href="https://www.hamlethub.com/brewster-new-york/stories/ridgefieldtheaterbarn.org." rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">ridgefieldtheaterbarn.org.</a> Seating is cabaret style, and the audience is invited to</p><p>bring food and drinks (concessions are also available). Doors open one hour</p><p>prior to curtain. More information is available on their website,</p><p><a href="http://www.ridgefieldtheaterbarn.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">www.ridgefieldtheaterbarn.org</a></p>

<p><strong>PCDOH Free Rabies Vaccination Clinic - March 2025</strong></p><p>Attention Putnam residents! Bring your dogs, cats, and ferrets to a FREE rabies vaccination clinic on Saturday, March 22nd&nbsp;from 10am-12pm. Sponsored by the Putnam County Department of Health, the clinic is being held at Putnam County Veterans Memorial Park (Upper Park), 201 Gipsy Trail Road, Carmel, and is open to all Putnam County residents.</p><p>Please bring a photo ID as proof of Putnam County residency, as well as proof of prior rabies vaccination. Tags are not acceptable. If you do not have proof of prior rabies vaccination, your pet will receive a one-year rabies vaccine. Pets must be at least 12 weeks old. All dogs must be leashed and controlled. Any dog that may become aggressive must be muzzled. Cats and ferrets must be in carriers, top-loading carriers preferred, no harnesses.&nbsp;<strong>All animals must be supervised by an adult. For the comfort and safety of the animals, social distancing and bringing a minimum number of people are suggested.</strong></p><p>For more information and directions, please call the Putnam County Department of Health at (845) 808-1390 ext. 43160.</p><p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>The Putnam County Department of Health will be offering Freedom from Smoking, an evidence-based smoking cessation program, to individuals who live or work in Putnam County. Classes will be held in person on Mondays from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the Putnam County Department of Health, beginning March 10, through April 21, with an extra class on Thursday, April 3.</p><p>The program will be at no cost to the participants, and they will be supplied with free Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) as long as the supply lasts. Pre-registration is required. Class size will be limited.</p><p>Register <a href="https://www.eventbrite.com/e/freedom-from-smoking-program-smoking-cessation-registration-1226391101799?aff=oddtdtcreator" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">here</a>.</p><p>For questions call the Putnam County Department of Health at (845) 808-1390 ext. 43155.</p>

<p>Bucknell University has released the dean's list for outstanding academic achievement during the fall semester of the 2024-25 academic year. Congratulations to Carmel resident Ashley Piacentino, class of 2027, who was named to the Dean's List.</p><p>A student must earn a grade point average of 3.5 or higher on a scale of 4.0 to receive dean's list recognition.</p>

<p>Join us on Saturday, November 30 that 4:30 PM to meet the talented author in person. She will be signing copies of both The Girls of Haviland (2023) and the new release sequel Beyond Haviland (2024)</p><p><br></p><p>About the author: "I'm a self published author and elementary school teacher. I'm so very excited for the debut of my first YA novel, The Girls of Haviland. I love nothing more than researching women's history. I am particularly drawn to the history of the Hudson Valley Region in New York, the Women's Suffrage Movement, and the World War One years.</p><p><br></p><p>The idea for The Girls of Haviland came to me when I saw a picture of students at a private girls' school taken at the turn of the twentieth century in Carmel, New York. I used this picture and archival articles from a local newspaper to create a historical fiction story that examines issues which will resonate with contemporary readers."</p><p>Find out more about the author at <a href="https://deborahoswald.com" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://deborahoswald.com/</a></p><p><br></p><p>Light refreshments will be served. Free parking. Restrooms available.</p><p><br></p><p>The BookSmiths Shoppe <a href="https://booksmithsshoppe.com" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://booksmithsshoppe.com/</a></p><p><span style="color: rgb(111, 114, 135);">100 Reserve Road #1st Floor Danbury, CT 06810</span></p><p><br></p><p>RSVP here: <a href="https://www.eventbrite.com/e/book-signing-with-author-deborah-oswald-saturday-1130-at-430-pm-tickets-1091747027749?aff=oddtdtcreator" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.eventbrite.com/e/book-signing-with-author-deborah-oswald-saturday-1130-at-430-pm-tickets-1091747027749</a></p><p><br></p>

<p>Putnam Community Action Partnership (CAP), a local not-for-profit organization dedicated to</p><p>providing services to Putnam County’s low-income community members, is excited to announce</p><p>the expansion of its soup kitchen program during the winter months. Starting December 1st, the</p><p>soup kitchen will now be open on Fridays, in addition to Tuesdays, Wednesdays &amp; Thursdays</p><p>from 12:00 – 1:00 pm at the First Baptist Church. through the month of April.</p><p><br></p><p>This expansion is made possible by the generous support of the Southeast Rotary Club, whose</p><p>contribution allows Putnam CAP to enhance its capacity and reach even more individuals in</p><p>need. The added day of service will help provide hundreds of additional meals to the local</p><p>community, ensuring that no one has to go without a warm meal.</p><p><br></p><p>"We are deeply grateful for the Southeast Rotary Club’s commitment to fighting hunger and</p><p>supporting our mission," said Marisa O’Leary, Director of Putnam CAP. "This partnership</p><p>allows us to significantly increase our impact and provide much-needed relief to those who need</p><p>it most. We believe that everyone deserves access to healthy, nutritious food, and this expansion</p><p>is a critical step in achieving that goal."</p><p><br></p><p>Since its founding, Putnam CAP has been dedicated to addressing hunger in the community,</p><p>offering free meals to individuals and families, no questions asked. The soup kitchen serves</p><p>approximately 300 meals each week, and with the added day, the organization anticipates an</p><p>additional 100 meals will be served weekly.</p><p><br></p><p>The Southeast Rotary Club, known for its community-oriented initiatives, is a valued supporter</p><p>of local programs that make a tangible difference in people's lives. Their partnership with</p><p>Putnam CAP will help ensure that the community’s most vulnerable are not overlooked.</p><p><br></p><p>“The Southeast Rotary Club is proud to support the work of Putnam CAP and help extend its</p><p>reach to even more individuals who are struggling to make ends meet,” said Barbara Evans,</p><p>President of Southeast Rotary Club. “This initiative reflects our commitment to serving those in</p><p>need and making a positive impact in our community.”</p><p><br></p><p>For more information about Putnam CAP and how you can get involved, please visit <a href="http://www.putanmcap.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">www.putanmcap.org</a> or call (845) 278-8021.</p>